- 4 hours ago
Embark on an exciting journey into the heart of naval service with the premiere of Warship Life in the Royal Navy Season 2! This episode pulls back the curtain on the demanding yet rewarding experiences of those serving aboard a modern warship.
Discover the intricate daily routines, from the complex operations of vital machinery to the unwavering dedication required of every crew member. We'll showcase the unique camaraderie and teamwork that forge strong bonds amidst challenging environments, both at sea and during crucial port visits.
Get a firsthand look at the rigorous training and specialized skills that keep the Royal Navy at the forefront of global maritime defense. This season opener offers a compelling glimpse into the dedication, perseverance, and pride that define life in this distinguished service.
#RoyalNavy #WarshipLife #NavalService
Discover the intricate daily routines, from the complex operations of vital machinery to the unwavering dedication required of every crew member. We'll showcase the unique camaraderie and teamwork that forge strong bonds amidst challenging environments, both at sea and during crucial port visits.
Get a firsthand look at the rigorous training and specialized skills that keep the Royal Navy at the forefront of global maritime defense. This season opener offers a compelling glimpse into the dedication, perseverance, and pride that define life in this distinguished service.
#RoyalNavy #WarshipLife #NavalService
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Short filmTranscript
00:06Hello and welcome to His Majesty's Naval Base, Devonport, here in Plymouth.
00:11For hundreds of years, this place has been a home to the Royal Navy and around half the nation's fleet
00:16is based here.
00:19This is a remarkable place. Thousands of servicemen and women pass through here every week.
00:26There are billions of pounds worth of warships and weapons and enough food to feed a Navy.
00:33And then there's the staff and crew who live in and around the base.
00:41We're here at a time of serious international tension when the Royal Navy has never been busier.
00:47And they've given us access across the fleet.
00:56Feel it reverberating through your whole body.
01:00You feel like you can reach out and touch that.
01:02That is wild.
01:04Just off our bow is a Russian submarine.
01:09Throughout these special programs, we're lifting the lid.
01:12What are you doing?
01:14On what life is really like in Britain's Navy today.
01:18I'm sure you tied that tie correctly before being dragged through a hedge.
01:21You sound like my mum.
01:22Get out of here.
01:23Fair move.
01:23Come on.
01:24These boys are fit.
01:26This is a different league within a different league.
01:28I do feel in very safe hands.
01:31Thank you very much.
01:35This is Warship.
01:37Life in the Royal Navy.
01:40Coming up on this episode.
01:42Good morning.
01:43I'm Lucy.
01:44Welcome to HMS RNG.
01:45Thank you very much.
01:47I step on board a British warship for the very first time.
01:52As much as you can kill the clock, sir.
01:53Two, four, eight.
01:55And end up involved in one of the most amazing dramas of my career.
02:00Now, so we've definitely got her.
02:02This doesn't feel like making telly anymore.
02:05Suddenly, this feels like I'm completely out of my depth.
02:20Hello and welcome to a brand new series of Warship Life in the Royal Navy.
02:26We're on board HMS St Albans, which is moored here in Devonport, the Royal Navy base in Plymouth.
02:32This place will be our home throughout the series as we take you on a journey across the length and
02:38breadth of the Royal Navy.
02:40But actually, we're going to start the series with something a little bit special, aren't we, Kate?
02:44We are, because I have to confess, before I started working on this series, I had literally no idea what
02:53life on a warship was like.
02:55So when I stepped for the very first time onto HMS Iron Duke, what I didn't expect was that I
03:02would end up being part of a mission to find a Russian nuclear-capable submarine that was reported to be
03:10in danger of exploding.
03:12What followed was such an extraordinary story, we've actually dedicated this entire episode to it.
03:19So sit back, relax, and watch this story unfold.
03:34The Royal Navy has granted me special access to learn about how life at sea works by living on a
03:41warship at sea.
03:44Good morning.
03:45Hiya, good morning. I'm Lucy. Welcome to HMS Iron Duke.
03:49Thank you very much. I'm Kate. It's amazing to be here.
03:52Yeah, welcome. You just follow me this way.
03:55For the next few days, HMS Iron Duke is going to be my home.
04:00This Type 23 frigate is over 130 metres long and weighs nearly 5,000 tonnes, which means I've got my
04:08work cut out, getting my bearings.
04:14So Kate, the first hurdle you're going to come across is getting down the ladder.
04:18Right.
04:19So the way we teach it for safety is to go down facing the ladder.
04:22OK.
04:23So opposite to what you would expect.
04:25So just so you can grab onto the handles and go down this way.
04:29OK.
04:31Helping me settle in is 25-year-old sub-lieutenant Lucy Bell, who knows this ship like the back of
04:37her hand.
04:39OK.
04:39Gosh, the treads aren't very wide, are they?
04:41OK.
04:42Has everyone in the Navy got size three feet?
04:44You'll get used to it as we go.
04:46So now we've reached to deck.
04:49OK.
04:50So this is the corridor that runs all the way through the ship.
04:54So if you ever get lost, this is where you're going to go.
04:57So literally from back all the way to the front?
05:00Absolutely, yeah.
05:01Gosh, the scale of it is quite extraordinary, isn't it?
05:04Yeah.
05:05Well, this is kind of where you get to see the most of it.
05:07But where we're going to be staying is forward, so we're just going to go this way.
05:10OK.
05:12How many people are on board?
05:14So at the moment, fully stocked up with air crew and with additional personnel, we've got
05:19about 200 to 220 people.
05:21OK.
05:23So as we go down here, you're going to get the galley on the left.
05:26OK.
05:27This is where all of our food is prepared.
05:29We've even got our own shop.
05:31Wow, so it really is a kind of almost like a floating village.
05:35You're completely self-sufficient.
05:37Yeah, for sure.
05:38There has to be enough stuff to keep us going whilst we're away at sea for long periods of
05:42time.
05:43So we're going to be just in here to the left.
05:45OK.
05:49Unlike the rest of the 200 or so crew on board, I have no idea what I'm letting myself in
05:54for.
05:57And this is where we're going to be staying.
05:59Oh, wow.
06:00So this is your bunk here that's all made up fresh for you.
06:03So there's going to be four of us in here?
06:05Just three of us for now.
06:07So are all the sleeping quarters like this sort of basically four people to a cabin?
06:13So actually, most of the accommodation will be triple stacked bunks.
06:16And they are split up into their own messes.
06:21A mess is a designated area for crew members to socialise and sleep in.
06:26Some of the crews share bunk spaces with up to 45 people.
06:30So I'm lucky to be getting one of these four berth cabins.
06:34So this really is luxurious.
06:37For sure.
06:37This is the cream of the crop accommodation.
06:41But before I unpack, I've been told to report to the captain.
07:14So this is the bridge.
07:15Happy to meet you.
07:45This is more serious, more immediate than at any time since the Cold War.
07:52Russia has a fleet of vessels, and they're being used to map possible sites for sabotage
07:57if the conflict with the West increases.
08:00Iron Duke's mission is to head out to sea and hunt down any Russian vessels that stray too
08:06close to UK waters.
08:09Intercepting them before they get too close is the sole responsibility of Captain David Armstrong.
08:16If we get word that there was a Russian ship or submarine or anything of that nature coming
08:21through UK waters, then we'll be activated to go and escort it.
08:28In the last 12 months, we've escorted 25 Russian ships through UK waters, and we've been activated
08:34at short notice about 18 times.
08:37And when you say you're escorting a ship, that sounds quite friendly.
08:43But if they're Russian ships, presumably they're enemy.
08:46So for us, the trick is for it to be safe and professional.
08:52It's not enough to hope that they won't get up to no good.
08:54We have to be there to make sure they can't.
08:55Yeah, yeah.
08:59As we head out to sea, I have to admit to a sense of trepidation.
09:03I had no idea Russian vessels were so active this close to the UK, or that HMS Iron Duke
09:10was the British warship ordered to protect our waters.
09:16You have the ship.
09:17For the bridge, for the log, the navigating officer has the ship.
09:20With nothing but open sea in front of us, who knows what or who we might be about to encounter.
09:45HMS Iron Duke is in the North Sea on orders to hunt for any Russian vessels
09:50straying close to UK waters.
10:01With a hungry crew of over 200 on board, some of the hardest working people on this ship can be
10:09found in the galley.
10:16Now, you may think that the most important person on board is the ship's captain, but you'd be wrong.
10:25Because Lenroy is the most important person on board.
10:29How are you?
10:29I'm not so bad, not so bad.
10:30Galley manager Lenroy Gill oversees a team of eight chefs.
10:35He's responsible for menu creation, quality control, and ensuring each service runs on time.
10:42How long have you been the chef on Iron Duke?
10:46So I've been with the Iron Duke just over here now.
10:49Okay.
10:50Yeah.
10:50And you're feeding, at the moment, over 200 people, three meals a day.
10:57That is correct.
10:58And am I allowed to get a sneak preview of what's for lunch?
11:02Yes, you would.
11:03You would definitely.
11:04It's turkey, cabana for lunch today.
11:06Wow.
11:06Hasn't been started because I'm going to do that in a bit.
11:08Okay.
11:09Okay.
11:10All right.
11:10Well, put me to work if you'd like me to.
11:12Sure.
11:12Let's go.
11:14Leading lunch service today is 25-year-old chef Keanu, one of the ship's newest recruits
11:21and known to his mates as Shorty.
11:24So how long have you been a chef on board?
11:28I've been cooking on board for about four months now, recently joined.
11:32Okay.
11:33And why the Navy?
11:35Traveling.
11:36Traveling?
11:37Yeah.
11:37And I like to travel, so that's a plus for me as well.
11:39So you do it like it looks like a dance, and I look like I'm stabbing it.
11:48How about your mum?
11:49Does she miss you?
11:50She misses me a lot.
11:52I bet she does.
11:53Especially my grandparents as well.
11:55Yeah.
11:55Sometimes I call my grandma, she's like, she's praying for me.
12:00The crew don't have long to eat lunch.
12:05Before heading straight back to work in the ship's maze of compartments.
12:11Hi.
12:11Hello.
12:12Can I come in?
12:13Welcome.
12:14After my stint in the galley, I've made my way to two-deck at the back of the warship
12:19to explore a 30-man sleeping compartment, one of the tightest on board, with able seaman
12:25David Brennan.
12:27So tell me what this area is here.
12:30So this is the 30-man mess.
12:32Every day, from 3.30 onwards, we have a set of departmental cleaning, minute wood would
12:38clean our mess decks, because it's very important to make sure where we're living is, it can expand
12:45and making sure we're on top of our own living space.
12:48Well, shall we do a little inspection to see if everyone's doing the right thing?
12:52Show me around.
12:53Each mess is broken up into bunk spaces, toilets, shower rooms, and a small recreational
13:01area where the crew can enjoy some downtime.
13:05Is there a kind of pecking order as to who gets the bottom bunk, who gets the middle, and who
13:10gets the top?
13:11So every ship has its own sort of routines.
13:14On here, it's pretty much a mixing match.
13:16Yeah.
13:17A lot of lads come and go throughout the year, so we just kind of, if we know there's a
13:23pit
13:23available, we'll...
13:24You call them a pit?
13:26Yeah, so the nickname is, like, someone's pit, yeah.
13:29Um, I love the fact that you've got your own duvet cars.
13:33Do you bring them from home?
13:34We do, we do.
13:36And what about all your stuff?
13:38Does everything have to fit into a locker and...
13:41Everyone gets one locker and an overhead.
13:43Right.
13:44And essentially, we'll have to live with what we have.
13:47Let's have a look at it.
13:50Oh, yeah, that's very ordered.
13:52Probably not this one, because it's got some stuff on there, but that's all mess banter.
14:03Do you make sure it's in its ship shape before the kind of formal inspection?
14:07Oh, 100%.
14:08It's important.
14:09As I said, it's the little things that matter.
14:12It's our own little space in itself, so you want to make sure you're looking after it.
14:17Yeah.
14:26Listen in, lads.
14:27Do you hear that?
14:28Captain speaking.
14:29As some of you will have been tracking, a Russian submarine has departed the Mediterranean
14:34as trapped by our own Gibraltar squadron, and it's accepted as heading back towards UK waters.
14:41We had a call earlier today from the Maritime Operations Centre telling us to intercept the
14:46Russian submarine and shadow it as it transits through UK waters.
14:50We'll, of course, keep you posted as the situation develops and as the timeline unfolds.
15:01A nuclear-capable Russian submarine has been spotted heading for UK waters en route to St. Petersburg.
15:10Intelligence suggests it's suffering mechanical issues and could be at risk of exploding.
15:16This new era of threat demands a new era for defence.
15:22Since the war in Ukraine began, relations with Russia have deteriorated.
15:28The presence of one of Putin's submarines in UK waters cannot go unchecked, so HMS Iron Duke has been ordered
15:37to intercept.
15:40Not really sure how to react to this news, you know, it's fascinating to see how a ship works and
15:52to discover what everybody does.
15:54But this now feels like almost I'm intruding on a really important naval operation, one that is diplomatically incredibly sensitive.
16:11And suddenly this doesn't feel like making telly anymore.
16:15Suddenly this feels like I'm in a situation where I'm completely out of my depth.
16:23And if we do see this submarine, I have no idea how I'm going to react to it.
16:28But I do definitely at the moment feel a little bit like I'm in with the grown-ups and I'm
16:35not grown up enough.
16:36I'm fine.
16:38I'm hoping Captain David Armstrong will be able to tell me more.
16:45Hi, David. Thank you.
16:47And there's one big question on my mind.
16:50Is it dangerous?
16:51You know, it's inherently dangerous in that it's a nuclear-capable Russian submarine.
16:57We think it might have some mechanical issues.
16:59Right.
17:01Which probably increases the risk a little bit.
17:04And how does that impact you?
17:06If it were to break down and, God forbid, sink on the south coast, that would be an environmental catastrophe.
17:14So that's just another factor for us to consider.
17:17You've got a Russian submarine going through the Dover Straits.
17:21Yeah.
17:22You know, that feels like an act of aggression to me.
17:25I totally understand.
17:26The problem we've got is, or the problem I've got specifically, and we have as a command team,
17:30is if I make a tactical mistake, it could have strategic consequences.
17:35What does that mean?
17:36I don't wish to be sensationalist, but if I was to interfere with a Russian submarine or an innocent passage,
17:45I could start a war by accident, you know, without wishing to be flippant.
17:49Yeah.
17:49But, you know, if I don't act in a professional manner, you know, and professional manner is all that's required
17:56here,
17:56we just need to make sure that they can't interfere with our, you know, with our interests.
18:00This is basically it.
18:02This is it.
18:03This is what we've been trained to do.
18:14This is CXA with your evening syrup pipe.
18:18As you can tell, the weather has increased over the last four hours.
18:22And we're looking at Sea State 6 in the coming 12 hours.
18:27This is as Storm Amy batters the UK.
18:31The weather is going to pick up again as we push out into the English Channel.
18:35As Iron Duke heads urgently round the southeast coast and towards the Russian submarine,
18:41a huge storm now stands in its way.
18:46Storm Amy has swept into the UK, bringing heavy rain and strong winds.
18:50An amber wind warning remains in place for parts of northern Scotland,
18:53and 60,000 homes are without power across the country.
19:01As Storm Amy begins to bite, the waves outside Iron Duke are building.
19:09It's actually rather beautiful in a terrifying way.
19:18I can't help but wonder if waves of this size will make the hunt for the damaged Russian submarine more
19:25difficult,
19:26or if the storm will further increase the chances of it exploding.
19:54HMS Iron Duke is heading along the English Channel
19:57to intercept a badly damaged Russian submarine with nuclear capabilities.
20:06But Storm Amy is currently battering most of the UK and the ship.
20:19Oh, my God.
20:22You need to sit very well for like six metres.
20:28Our sea state ramped up through the night,
20:32and the ship has just been pitching and rolling.
20:36But I drew the curtains and pretended I was anywhere but out at sea in a force-eight gale.
20:45Do you hear that?
20:46Navigating officers speaking.
20:47Compartment custodians are to ensure that their compartments are secured for sea state 7.
20:52That is all.
20:55Despite the difficult conditions,
20:57the senior officers must focus on the mission.
21:01Finding the Russian submarine.
21:04Relax, please.
21:06The purpose of this brief is to get the general detail down
21:10to make sure that we have all the building blocks in place.
21:14I'm heading down to the ops room
21:17because the captain has invited me to a special briefing with all the heads of department.
21:29Captain, sir, team.
21:30Our primary contact of interest is Russian Federation Navy Kilo-class SSK subsurface killer submarine.
21:37Sir, she has a diesel-electric engine configuration designed to make her difficult to track and quiet.
21:43Her length is 72.6 metres.
21:46Good look out for officer-watchers on the bridge spotting her.
21:48And she has a formidable armament of heavyweight torpedoes, calibre missiles.
21:53Sir, these calibre missiles can be land attack and surface-to-surface ship capable.
21:59You're full of good news.
22:00Good brief, thanks very much.
22:02Sir, over the course of the next 24 hours,
22:04we are going to conduct an RV with the contacts of interest and then transit east.
22:09We'll continue to escort them to our UK area of responsibility eastern limit,
22:14where we will then hand over to other NATO allies.
22:18Once they find the Russian sub, HMS Iron Duke will try to understand how badly damaged it really is
22:26before following it wherever it goes until it no longer poses a threat to the UK.
22:35Hello, Captain. How are you?
22:36How's it going? How are you doing?
22:37Good. Yes.
22:38Yeah.
22:38So, um, that briefing was fascinating.
22:43Oh, good.
22:43A little bit terrifying.
22:45It shouldn't be terrifying.
22:47There will be an uptick in energy when we do the intercept.
22:51Yeah.
22:52Certainly in the warfare teams in the ops room,
22:54they'll be laser-focused as we, you know, as we intercept.
22:59Possibly a vessel there in 325 distance, 1912.
23:02The ops room is the control centre for the ship's weapons and radars.
23:06It's run by principal warfare officer Tom Adlam.
23:10So you are head of operations.
23:12Correct.
23:13And this is your domain.
23:14It is, yeah, our unconventional office space.
23:17So the operations room in the heart of the ship.
23:20Tom and his team will likely be the first to locate the Russian submarine.
23:25If the situation becomes heightened,
23:30is this where you put together the kind of the right response?
23:35I mean, I suppose I'm hedging my bets here,
23:37but if you had to fire any weapons or anything,
23:39is that controlled from here?
23:41It is, it is.
23:42And that would be mine and the other principal warfare officer's role,
23:45responsibility when we're down here.
23:47This will be my seat.
23:49Okay.
23:49The captain will sit here.
23:51Right.
23:51And we'll maintain oversight,
23:52and we will essentially fight the ship
23:55in support of the captain's aims and objectives
23:57in order to make sure that she maintains the fighting edge
24:01and be at the tip of the spear.
24:06Outside the warship, Storm Amy has finally cleared.
24:11Set course to starboard 085.
24:16Nothing now stands in the way of HMS Iron Duke performing her mission.
24:21More information on the condition of the Russian sub
24:24has just been shared with the crew.
24:26We are now sailing on a course to intercept the Russian submarine.
24:32The submarine, which has the capability of carrying nuclear warheads,
24:38is partially flooded by diesel.
24:41And if that's the case, then it has the potential to explode.
24:45The search for the submarine continues,
24:48but with an added frisson of danger.
24:54Iron Duke is closing in on the Russian submarine,
24:57which is currently positioned off the northwest coast of France,
25:02heading east into the English Channel.
25:07At times like these, the crew often turn to a friendly face,
25:11and I think I could do with one of those too.
25:17Tina?
25:17Hello.
25:18Are you here?
25:19I'm reporting for duty.
25:20Hello there.
25:21How are you?
25:22I'm good, thank you.
25:23And you?
25:23Yes, I'm all right, thank you.
25:25Tina Clift is the civilian manager of the ship's onboard shop,
25:29known as the Naffy.
25:31I'm always very busy.
25:33The lads come here sometimes not to buy stuff just for a chat.
25:36Yeah.
25:36So it's quite nice because it's like just that break from work.
25:39Okay.
25:40And if people are sad, sometimes they come and they just have a chat
25:43or they knock and come in and sit down and we just...
25:45Because I think it's important.
25:47And we call this the happy place.
25:49This is the no-judgment zone.
25:50So no-one's allowed to judge what anyone else is buying.
25:53Right.
25:53Because people need to do what they need to do to get through a day.
25:56Yeah.
25:57And we have a positivity ball, which gets shaken to death.
26:00So what do you do with the positivity ball?
26:02So you literally ask it a question, shake it, turn it upside down,
26:05and then it gives you some sort of answer at the bottom.
26:09So you're opening...
26:10Now.
26:11Right now.
26:12They'll tell you what they want.
26:14Okay.
26:14You bring it to me and I scan it.
26:15Okay.
26:16And then we've got to put it in a basket.
26:17Oh, look, here they are.
26:18Shut up, darling.
26:20Right, come on then, chaps.
26:21What are you after?
26:23Can I get a pack of Harbrook's strawberries, please?
26:26Is it one of your five a day?
26:28Oh, yeah, yeah.
26:31100%.
26:36Are you all right, Joe?
26:37I'm good, you?
26:38Yeah, I'm all right.
26:39I'm all right.
26:40How are you feeling?
26:41Not great.
26:43What question are you asking?
26:45I'm not getting home this weekend.
26:50That's the way.
26:50You've not given me a fair amount.
26:52Give it a chance.
26:53You keep shaking it too much.
26:54Let it rest for a minute.
26:56Oh, no.
26:57What's it say?
26:58Patience pays.
26:59See?
26:59I don't think you shake you.
27:01I don't think you were going to do it.
27:03Okay, darling.
27:06So, when there's no Wi-Fi and no connection home, is your little corner of the ship kind of even
27:14more important?
27:16It is, and I don't think they would manage without it.
27:19So, do they come for the chocolate or do they come for you?
27:21Maybe a bit of hope.
27:22I'm hoping.
27:24Who knows?
27:29Just continue to look at the organic sensors and just make sure that we're able to pick her up as
27:34early as possible.
27:37The Russians are believed to have now entered the English Channel, just a few miles ahead of HMS Iron Duke's
27:44position.
27:46Okay, so how are we looking?
27:47In the ops room, Tom and his team have their eyes trained on the radar screens, trying to pinpoint the
27:54sub's exact location.
27:56Possibility that it's, what, 5354?
27:595354.
28:02Have the bridge got anything visual at this moment?
28:04I know the door, sir.
28:18The team has spotted something on the radar.
28:21248, bracket associates, Russian killer class sub, 248.
28:25It could be the Russian sub, but visual confirmation is also needed.
28:315354, roger.
28:32Okay, uninformed captain, thank you.
28:36On the bridge, the crew scour the horizon.
28:45There she is.
28:48Bearing 283.
28:51All positions, hostile watch.
28:53Search and investigate.
28:54Unmanned contact.
28:55Bearing 283.
28:57Distance, seven nautical miles.
28:59All reports on route line two.
29:03Yep.
29:04Naves, we've definitely got her.
29:07That's her.
29:08Right, Naves.
29:10Take station at standard distance astern of the SSK.
29:15All right, sir.
29:15Check quarters.
29:16Let's go.
29:17Let's go.
29:19Navigating officer speaking.
29:21Due to our proximity to the unit, we will be shallalooing.
29:24Assume head state red.
29:26I'm not sure I can describe how surreal this feels.
29:32Just off our bow, barely a mile away, is a Russian submarine.
29:41Around 35 nautical miles off the north coast of France, at the mouth of the English Channel, HMS Iron Duke
29:49finally has eyes on the Russian vessel.
29:52Next course is clear, visually, take the ship in hand.
29:55And begin to immediately follow it.
29:58The crew must now maintain a 24-7 watch over Putin's forces.
30:07So now that this submarine is under your watch, what happens with the ship?
30:13But, you know, what changes as far as you and the ship's company are concerned?
30:18I mean, this is our day job.
30:21You know, all of our sensors are being constantly watched to give us a really good situational awareness.
30:27We know exactly where the submarine is.
30:29We know exactly what it's doing.
30:30It's transiting on the surface.
30:32But, of course, it's not enough to hope that that will be the case.
30:35We have to be here to make sure that it can't do anything other than that.
30:40Submarines would never surface unless there's no other option.
30:45The damage inside must be severe for them to give away their position.
30:51That's pretty interesting, isn't it?
30:53That guy looks like he's got a camera.
30:55We're watching them. They're watching us.
30:57On the shoulder as well.
30:58It's definitely when we were just out there before they were facing us with the bar noise.
31:02Well, I would imagine that's probably their CEO.
31:07Can you gather intelligence from a submarine in this situation?
31:11Yeah, certainly.
31:12So we'll use our embarked helicopter to do what's called an intlook.
31:15So we will take the opportunity, because it's entirely within our gift in our own backyard,
31:20to take some photographs and just make sure we understand what's going on.
31:25To gather more intelligence, HMS Iron Duke's Wildcat helicopter is being launched in the direction of the Russian sub.
31:34Take it all the way in there.
31:36Armed with a high-definition long-range camera.
31:40Captain, relax, please.
31:43It's the ideal tool for gathering intelligence on the Russian submarine.
31:48Initially, it'll be an inlet on the kilo.
31:51For the bridge team, you're going to have to do some jiggery-pokery with your current course and speed.
31:54We're very heavy with full fuel and a lot of pack.
31:58OK, I'm chairman.
31:59It's number one, two, three, four.
32:01The pilots must get close enough to capture clear images, to learn how badly damaged the submarine is.
32:09I'm just going to come to a general hover ahead of the submarine.
32:12But without causing an international incident.
32:34HMS Iron Duke is in the English Channel, just a few miles off the coast of the UK.
32:40425, 1-2-0-3-0.
32:41425, 1-2-0-3-0.
32:43Tracking a damaged Russian submarine that's been forced to surface and is now heading east.
32:50It's not going to look at them. Good eyes on the kilo.
32:52If she alters or does anything strange, flash reports.
32:55With the nuclear-capable submarine believed to be at risk of exploding, a collision with another vessel could be disastrous.
33:03So the ops room are monitoring every single ship in the area.
33:08What are we actually looking at here? What are we seeing?
33:12So, on the screen at the minute, what we've got, us is in the very centre.
33:17So, we have a particular course that we're steering, which is indicated by the arrow here.
33:21And what we have is a series of contacts around in our vicinity.
33:25So, we'll be monitoring all of the civilian traffic, as well as all military contacts in the area.
33:30But then you've also got the submarine.
33:32And it is the job of the team behind us to interpret all of that information.
33:37So, they would be looking at that merchant ship.
33:41Yeah.
33:41And working out whether it might end up on a collision course.
33:46Yeah, absolutely.
33:47It feels like this ship is staying, you know, quite a distance from her.
33:53I imagine that you would be right there.
33:55So, we want to give her enough space to operate safely.
34:00Right.
34:01So, what we will do is not come any closer than two miles.
34:05Right.
34:05That's absolutely necessary.
34:06Yeah.
34:06But, if we need to, we can be right on top of her in a matter of minutes.
34:10Yeah.
34:11This ship can be very, very quickly turned from a general purpose frigate into a submarine hunting unit.
34:17And presumably, they know that too.
34:19They do.
34:25It's a diplomatic show of strength.
34:29Alex, we're here, don't mess around, because if you do, there'll be trouble.
34:35Correct.
34:42Midship, stop, turn.
34:43Midship, stop, turn.
34:47Back on the bridge, sub-lieutenant officer of the watch, Alex Field, has been given a delicate task.
34:53I think it's a, I think it's a yacht.
34:55Yeah, it's not a warship, it doesn't have the mask, it doesn't have any weapons.
35:00So, it's a yacht.
35:0525-year-old Alex is in charge of tracking the Russians through the Dover Strait, one of the busiest shipping
35:12lanes in the world.
35:15I know it's famously busy, but there are a lot of ships out there.
35:19There's a lot of shipping, and since, it's a unique challenge following a Russian submarine, which is quite low to
35:27the waterline.
35:28She's not displaying on any identification software.
35:33So, that means no other ships would be necessarily aware that she's there?
35:38Unless they're specifically looking at their radar, they won't see her.
35:41Right.
35:41She'll also be really, really small on radar.
35:44And we're lucky, because we know she's there.
35:46Yeah.
35:46But a lot of people won't.
35:49With the Russians keeping a low profile in a busy shipping lane, Alex must stay in radio contact with other
35:55vessels in the area to warn them about the submarine's presence.
36:00Hello.
36:07Yeah, of course.
36:08What's the bearing in range?
36:11That's great.
36:12Thanks for the rest.
36:13Cheers.
36:35We've now gathered imagery on the vessel of interest, and with help from the squadron of 825, we've been able
36:42to get really good imagery as well with my assistant, A.B. McCarthy.
36:46Having one of Moscow's subs on the surface presents a rare opportunity to get some close-up pictures.
36:54And here's a really good photo of the Conning Tower.
36:57And this time with a third mast we can see up, as well as a better shot of that Russian
37:01ensign.
37:02And interesting to see that she hasn't got a navigational radar up there.
37:06So from initial interaction, we can notice she isn't using a navigational radar, which is interesting in such a busy
37:12shipping lane.
37:13Yeah.
37:14So the purpose of these initial photos is that by gathering these images, we can make quite a lot of
37:19assumptions.
37:20For example, if they're using their diesel engines on the surface, the chances are they're not going to dive.
37:25That's really useful information for us.
37:27The fact that they're not using a navigational radar, again, that's really important for us, because we're going through some
37:33of the busiest shipping lanes in the world.
37:36Is this all really useful material long-term?
37:40There's a lot of much more detailed analysis that we'll do based on these photographs that we can't really discuss
37:45on camera.
37:46Sure.
37:47So the purpose of these initial images is just to inform what can we learn just by looking at the
37:53submarine that will make our job easier.
37:55We'll learn what we can.
37:57Yeah, this is exactly the right thing to do.
37:59Yeah, and clearly quite a good photographer.
38:01Yeah, indeed. Good job.
38:03Good job.
38:13Whilst the bridge and ops room keep an eye on the Russians, below decks for most of the crew, their
38:21jobs remain unchanged.
38:24Hey, Shorty.
38:25Hello.
38:26The only difference is that this close to a Russian submarine, mobile phone use is prohibited.
38:33Now that none of us can have our phones on and there's no communication at all with the outside world,
38:40is it even more important to do sort of good food to keep morale up?
38:44We try our best to give them a boost as well.
38:47And how's everybody in the kitchen doing?
38:49And how's everybody in the kitchen doing? Is everyone okay?
38:51Yeah.
38:51Does it feel weird to know that there is a Russian submarine just there?
38:57Just there. I mean, it's a good feeling that we're doing something for the king as well and the entire
39:06Royal Navy.
39:08Do you think their food is as good as yours?
39:10No, definitely not.
39:16Yeah, I'm happy it's drawing right for us. Is it drawing right for the submarine as well?
39:25As HMS Iron Duke begins to emerge from the Dover Strait and head out of the English Channel, she's being
39:32met by a group of foreign warships.
39:36So suddenly we seem to be kind of surrounded by other vessels. Are these all friendlies?
39:44Yeah, so we're getting to the north of the Dover TSS now, you know, to the bit where our responsibility
39:49ends.
39:50We've got two Belgian patrol vessels that have now joined the shadow, and then we've got a Dutch patrol vessel
39:57who is going to take it over formally from us.
40:00Iron Duke's NATO allies will continue tracking the Russians all the way back to St. Petersburg.
40:06They're perfectly placed to take this escort. It starts to head east up towards the entrance to the Baltic.
40:16Is there symbolism in it?
40:18I think there's probably symbolism for the submariners on the Russian submarine.
40:24You know, if I was on that submarine, that would speak volumes to me of a group of ships not
40:29from the same nation, but all singing off the same hymn sheet.
40:36We'll give it a few more minutes, and then we'll bring on a gas turbine and get home.
40:48With other NATO warships taking over the escorting duty, Iron Duke can head back to Plymouth for some well-earned
40:55R&R.
40:56Our part in this operation is now finished. Nabs?
41:00Sir?
41:00We've got an increased max. Take us home.
41:02We've got the port gas turbine engaged by that going to push up.
41:10That roaring sound behind me is the gas turbine being turned on.
41:14That means the ship is turning away from the submarine and heading home.
41:20We're waving goodbye to the Russians.
41:45It's been an eventful time on HMS Iron Duke.
41:48I was only supposed to be on board for three days, and it ended up being nearly two weeks.
41:54So this really is luxurious.
41:56For sure. This is the cream of the crop accommodation.
42:00I've witnessed a crew receive urgent new orders.
42:03To be prepared to intercept the Russian submarine as it transits through UK waters.
42:09Survived Storm Amy.
42:16And watched in awe as a nuclear-capable Russian submarine was hunted down.
42:22248, back in the Sochi, it's Russian Kulikwab Sub. 248.
42:27Yep. Nabs, we've definitely got her.
42:29Throughout this whole experience, I've been struck by the professionalism and camaraderie of the men and women on board.
42:36There we go.
42:38Who faced every challenge head-on.
42:41Sir, these caliber missiles can be land attacked and surface-to-surface ship capable.
42:47You're full of good news.
42:48This is an experience that will live with me forever.
43:01Wow, what a journey.
43:03I mean, welcome to the Royal Navy.
43:06Thank you. I know.
43:07I mean, I seem to have spent 30 years looking for badgers, and now I've graduated to being a submarine
43:12hunter.
43:13Wow, amazing.
43:14And a massive thank you to the crew of HMS Iron Duke.
43:18Not just for the job that they did, but also for taking such good care of your lovely self.
43:22They were amazing. Thank you all.
43:24Yeah, well, there's plenty more like that to come.
43:28Next time, Kate delves into the top-secret world of Royal Navy submarines.
43:34We're going to have to stop filming for the moment.
43:36And becomes the first television presenter to be invited on board a nuclear-powered hunter-killer.
43:42I've been given permission to take you and the team down our submarine.
43:47Wow.
43:48Our intrepid reporter, Dwayne Fields, uncovers the story of how the Royal Navy helped keep Britain's hopes alive in World
43:56War II.
43:56Those supply lines were crucial.
43:59Yes, Britain may have faced starvation.
44:02That's it, JJ. Nice and quick.
44:03And one year after failing the commando endurance test, I wasn't tough enough to get the job done.
44:09I make my return to the Royal Marines Commando Training Centre to give it one last try.
44:14Final strike now. Final strike. All the way to the end. All the way to the end.
44:17But will I make it?
44:20Don't even think about missing it. See you then. Bye-bye.
44:23Bye.
44:40Bye.
44:41Bye.
44:44Bye.
44:46Bye.
44:47Bye.
44:49Bye.
44:50Bye.
44:50Bye.
44:51Bye.
44:51Bye.
44:52Bye.
44:52Bye.
44:52Bye.
44:53Bye.
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